10 Meetups About Real Leather Couch You Should Attend
How to Tell If a Leather Couch is Real Or Faux
Due to the misinformation on price tags and product descriptions it can be difficult to tell whether you're buying a real leather couch. You should get close to the couch and inspect it with care. Smell, touch and turn the cushion over to examine the back.
For example, one 'leather' couch CHOICE was tested with "contact" areas (such as seats and arm rests) with genuine leather upholstery but the 'non-contact' areas were a mixture of cotton and polyester.
1. Smell
A real leather sofa should be fragrant and natural. Faux leather is, however is often chemically processed and synthetic. If your couch smells bad it could be due to urine from pets. In the majority of cases, a thorough cleaning will remove the smell. If you're not happy with the results, consider applying a leather conditioner. This will restore moisture to the leather and make it more supple and less fragile. It will also make it more resistant against smells.
Baking soda is a fantastic natural odor eliminator that can be used to remove unpleasant odors from your couch. Mix equal parts vinegar and water, and then employ a cloth (preferably microfibre) to wipe the leather couch. If the cloth begins to collect dirt, you can use a wringer to remove it or replace it with a new one. Alternately, you can pour the solution in the spray bottle and spray it over your couch. Allow the solution to dry before wiping it over again.
Airing out your leather is another natural way to get rid of odors. If possible, set the couch outside in a sunny area to air it out. This will help eliminate any unwanted smells and give the sofa a fresh, natural scent.
If you'd like to avoid unpleasant odors, you can purchase a leather conditioner that contains healthy oils. This will keep your leather smelling fresher for longer, keeping it from absorption of smells.
While the smell of natural leather is appealing however, it can be difficult to keep clean. Over time, leather can absorb odors like those from cooking, smoking and even body smell. These odors can be difficult to remove, especially when your home is occupied by children or pets. Fortunately, leather couches aren't able to trap the odors as fabric upholstery can make them a great choice for households with active families.
If your couch smells like a pee-soaked puppy, it's important to take action immediately. You can try a few of the suggestions above, or you can try a specific product such as Leather Honey to address the issue. Prevention is the best way to go however, so make sure to train your dog to not pee on the couch!
2. Feel
If you are looking for a new leather sofa there are a few things you should look out for. But the most effective way to determine whether it's genuine is to smell and feel it. Genuine leather has a distinct natural scent that is unmistakable. The smell fades as you age, but it should be clear when the couch is new.
A genuine leather sofa must be soft to the touch and warm in temperature. leather couch and loveseat Sofas And Couches and bonded leathers on the other hand, often have a more plasticky feel and are colder to the touch. To test this try pressing your fingertips on the sofa's surface and check for bumps. If you don't feel any bumps on the couch, it is likely to be faux-leather or bonded.
If you notice vertical seams that are stitched on the back of a sofa, this is another sign of a fake. This indicates that the leather isn't one piece. Genuine leather couches are characterized by this.
The quality of a leather frame of a sofa can have a major impact on its durability but it's not always obvious. Ask what type of wood was used to construct the frame. This will help you choose an item that has an extended lifespan. A solid oak frame is the most durable and costly alternative, whereas engineered or particle board frames aren't as sturdy. For added durability, a hardwood frame should also be kiln dried to avoid mildew and warping.
If you're shopping on a budget, there are plenty of affordable genuine leather sofas that you can nevertheless enjoy. The Room & Board Stevens Leather Sofa is a good example. It is a stylish and flexible choice that's usually on sale and can easily be customized to suit your home.
Another option that is budget-friendly is the La-Z-Boy Gather Manual Reclining Sofa that is classic in design and comes in a variety of durable and fade-resistant fabrics. The sofa is modular and a bit difficult to assemble at home, and the back cushions tend to slide down.
3. Backing
Genuine leather couches have a distinct aesthetic that other forms of furniture can't compete with. Leather sofas are extremely durable and can withstand wear and tear better than fabrics. They can last for many years. They are also less likely to attract dust, allergens or spills. However, just like anything else in life, there are pitfalls when it comes to buying a leather sofa - and it is important to know what to look out for before you make your final decision.
If you're not sure whether your new sofa is made of leather or fabric, you should first check the tag of materials that is on the frame. This will tell you exactly what kind of fabric it is. But, you should utilize your own senses to make an informed decision if you are unable to discover any information regarding the composition of the material used in the sofa.
The sofa's surface must be carefully examined and pay attention to the pattern, texture, and shading. Genuine leather couches will have natural imperfections, and the structure, pattern, or shading won't be uniform. If the surface is uniform and smooth or if a mesh-like backing appears in place of coarse leather, it's a clear indicator of fake or synthetic leather.
Another way to test this is to look at the back of the cushion casing. If the cushion has vertical stitching on the back, it isn't genuine leather. This is due to the fact that animal hides are limited in size and can only be cut to a certain degree. To ensure the highest quality of their products top-rated manufacturers will always stitch and sew across the entire back of the couch to ensure it's genuine leather and not bonded or fake leather.
If you can, try to lift up a corner of the sofa or a cushion and inspect the back of the padding. If the back of the padding is covered with an unwoven material or polyurethane then it's an indication that the sofa isn't genuine leather. Genuine leather should feel sturdy and coarse when it is touched.
4. Patterns
A genuine leather sofa is a timeless piece, and with good reason. The warm, natural look and feel of the material can enhance any living space. Modern tanning methods give it added durability, so it is resistant to cracking or sliding. Because each hide has distinctive marks, grain, and blemishes each leather couch is truly one-of-a-kind.
The best way to determine if the leather you are buying is genuine is to examine it in person. For a better understanding of the authenticity of the leather, take a look at the texture of the surface and the pattern as well as the structure. If the structure is uniform and there aren't visible flaws, it's most likely fake or bond leather.
A polyurethane back on the sofa is another dead giveaway. This is a typical feature of bonded leather. Genuine leather will look more natural and be supported by materials that closely match the fabric used to create furniture.
Check the back of your couch to determine whether there are vertical seams. This indicates that the leather has been made with care to last. If there are no seams, and the back appears like a seamless cloth, then it is likely to be a fake or bonded-leather sofa.
Once you've determined that a sofa is genuine leather The next step is to pair it up with the rest of your living room furniture. For a sleek, unified style, match your sofa to other wooden furniture and accent it with pillows that reflect the colors of your space. You can also choose a more dynamic, relaxed arrangement by putting the couch between two pieces furniture with a table in between.
Keep your leather sofa from direct sunlight to prevent it fading or developing scuffs. If you're looking to extend the life of your leather sofa and protect your investment apply a leather protector agent every other year.